Chuan Urges Government to Raise Elderly Stipend to 1,000 Baht

On July 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM, Chuan Leekpai, Democrat Party list MP, addressed parliament regarding elderly allowance increases, referencing the government's April 9 policy statement on senior welfare. He urged budget review to reflect these changes, noting that current spending is allocated at over 65 billion baht but amounts remain unchanged at 600-900 baht. Chuan proposed raising the base amount to 1,000 baht, arguing that elderly citizens who worked their entire lives—laborers, farmers, and non-civil servants without pensions—deserve basic security in their final years. He noted proudly that he initiated the elderly allowance program during his first tenure as Prime Minister with smaller amounts of 200-300 baht for low-income seniors, which later expanded to all elderly under PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration.

Chuan emphasized that all political parties view this as good policy, but economic conditions and currency values have changed significantly since the program's inception. He cited studies by Abhisit and former Minister Korn Chatikavanij showing that 1,000 baht is feasible without excessive burden on the state, with budgetary figures of 64,000 million baht remaining consistent with current approaches. He requested the relevant committee review this proposal, emphasizing that supporting those who served the nation—workers, laborers, farmers—deserves priority attention.

Regarding the government education loan fund (Student Loan Fund), which Chuan initiated over 30 years ago, he noted it has genuinely reduced the social gap, enabling over 7 million people to access education who otherwise couldn't afford it. Last year's government allocation of 5 billion baht proved insufficient, requiring an additional 4.8 billion baht supplementation, bringing the total to 9 billion baht—for which he thanked the government. However, Chuan raised concerns about the revolving fund mechanism originating from off-budget sources, which has grown from 3 billion to 700 billion baht. He highlighted rising problems with loan defaults, particularly among unemployed borrowers, and requested educational institutions encourage repayment when graduates find employment.

Chuan expressed satisfaction that Deputy PM and Transport Minister Pipat refuses to tolerate corruption, and that the PM's Office budget minister rejects exploitation and 'long-hand' tactics. However, he stressed that implementation depends on genuine honesty and integrity. He concluded by emphasizing that conducting affairs with honesty and transparency allows the government to act righteously according to the King's principles.